West Side Nut Club Will Award $25,000 Early Bird Prize
The Evansville festival organizers set a $25,000 early bird prize for the annual Half Pot contest.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Food and Drink
Live Poll
Do you think entering local festival raffles is a good way to potentially win extra cash?
The West Side Nut Club has announced a $25,000 early bird prize for its upcoming 105th annual Fall Festival Half Pot. The winner of this preliminary drawing will be selected on October 5, 2026.
Why it matters
The annual Half Pot serves as a centerpiece for the community festival, and the early bird incentive is designed to drive participation ahead of the main event. Offering a guaranteed prize helps boost interest in the fundraiser before the final total is determined.
The West Side Nut Club is hosting its 105th annual festival, with the $25,000 prize serving as a specific incentive for participants who enter before the October 5 deadline. Ticket sales for the entire contest officially open on September 30.
The players
West Side Nut Club
This is a long-standing community organization based in Evansville known for hosting the annual Fall Festival.
The details
Participants must purchase tickets for the Half Pot before 7 p.m. on October 5 to qualify for the early bird drawing. The organization will hold the drawing one hour later at 8 p.m. to select the recipient of the $25,000 award.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Half Pot ticket sales begin.
October 5, 2026, 7 p.m.: Deadline for early bird prize eligibility.
October 5, 2026, 8 p.m.: Early bird prize drawing occurs.
Industry Dynamics
This prize incentive follows a pattern set by the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival's annual raffle traditions. Local festivals increasingly utilize early bird milestones to generate upfront engagement and maintain momentum throughout their multi-day event schedules.
Residents in the area can purchase tickets starting September 30 to become eligible for the early bird drawing. Qualifying for the $25,000 prize requires meeting the specific purchase deadline of 7 p.m. on October 5.
The takeaway
Early bird drawings offer a strategy to secure a guaranteed payout regardless of the final raffle total. Those interested should ensure their entries are submitted well before the cutoff time to be included in the October 5 selection process.
Further reading
For more on regional events, visit the Food and Drink section.
More information
Find complete contest details on the West Side Nut Club official website.
Live Poll
Do you think entering local festival raffles is a good way to potentially win extra cash?
